Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah has formally charged outgoing Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa with misconduct and has opted out of the full court reference held in Isa’s honour.
Justice Syed Mansoor Ali Shah expressed his reasons, stating: “Participating in such a reference and celebrating this term would suggest that a Chief Justice can betray his institution, undermine its strength, fall from ethical standards, and still be honoured as a distinguished servant of justice. I apologize, but I cannot confidently participate in a reference for this Chief Justice.”
In a letter addressed to the Registrar of the Supreme Court, Justice Mansoor Ali Shah communicated his consistent stance:
“I did not attend the reference for former Chief Justice Saqib Nisar, and I will not attend the one for Qazi Faez Isa. The reasons for abstaining from Qazi Faez Isa’s farewell reference are particularly disconcerting,” noted Justice Mansoor Ali Shah.
He further emphasized the core responsibilities of a Chief Justice, “The primary role of a Chief Justice is to safeguard the rights of the people and to defend the judiciary.”
In another correspondence with the Registrar, Justice Mansoor Ali Shah reiterated his regret, explaining, “Guided by my conscience, I am unable to support a reference for such a Chief Justice whose fundamental duty is to protect the rights of all, uphold the independence of the judiciary, and ensure justice for every individual.”
Read: Supreme Court Honors Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa at Farewell Reference
Justice Mansoor Ali Shah also detailed his reasons for not attending the full court session in a separate letter to the Registrar. In it, he criticized Chief Justice Qazi Faez Isa for his passive and detached response to external pressures on the judiciary, likening his behaviour to an ostrich burying its head in the sand. “Regrettably, my conscience prevents me from supporting such a Chief Justice at the reference,” he concluded.
